Belgium have officially announced their final Belgium squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the biggest talking point revolves around veteran striker Romelu Lukaku. Despite concerns over fitness and a lack of regular football this season, Lukaku has still been included by head coach Rudi Garcia for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Napoli forward has endured a frustrating 2025-26 campaign due to a hamstring injury and has managed only seven substitute appearances, accumulating just 69 minutes of football. However, Garcia has decided to trust Belgium’s all-time leading scorer for one more major international competition.
Speaking after unveiling the Belgium squad, Garcia admitted that Lukaku is not yet at peak condition.
“Romelu has recovered, but he’s out of shape, and I’m not sure he’ll be able to start the matches. But he’s our best striker, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer,” Garcia said.
The manager also revealed that Belgium’s medical and fitness staff will work closely with the 33-year-old over the next five weeks in an attempt to get him fully match-ready before the group-stage fixtures begin.
Lukaku remains one of the most important figures in Belgian football history. The former Chelsea F.C., Manchester United F.C. and Everton F.C. striker has scored 89 goals in 124 appearances for his national side. If he features in the tournament, it will mark his fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance.
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Belgium squad includes experienced stars
The Belgium squad heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026 features a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talents. Alongside Lukaku, several members of Belgium’s golden generation have also secured places in the final 26-man squad.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returns as the undisputed number one after another strong season with Real Madrid CF. Veteran midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, now playing for S.S.C. Napoli, will once again be central to Belgium’s creativity in midfield.
Another experienced name included in the Belgium squad is Axel Witsel, who could be participating in his final World Cup. Garcia appears keen to balance leadership and youth as Belgium look to make a deep run in the tournament.
There are also several fresh faces in the squad. Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo earned a surprise call-up after recently committing his international future to Belgium. The 21-year-old was born in Brussels to Italian and Spanish parents and had briefly switched allegiance to Spain in 2025 before returning to Belgium.
Garcia selected Fernandez-Pardo ahead of Loïs Openda, whose lack of regular minutes at Juventus reportedly influenced the decision.
Sporting defender Zeno Debast also made the Belgium squad despite suffering an injury during training recently.
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Full Belgium squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
- Senne Lammens (Manchester United)
- Mike Penders (Racing Strasbourg)
Defenders
- Timothy Castagne (Fulham)
- Zeno Debast (Sporting)
- Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton)
- Koni De Winter (AC Milan)
- Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge)
- Thomas Meunier (Lille)
- Nathan Ngoy (Lille)
- Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge)
- Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Midfielders
- Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli)
- Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)
- Nicolas Raskin (Rangers)
- Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
- Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
- Axel Witsel (Girona)
Forwards
- Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)
- Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
- Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille)
- Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)
- Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica)
- Diego Moreira (Strasbourg)
- Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan)
- Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
Belgium’s World Cup group and expectations
Belgium have been drawn in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. Their group-stage matches will be played across venues in the United States and Canada.
While Belgium are no longer viewed as overwhelming favourites like they were during the peak of their golden generation, the Belgium squad still possesses significant quality and tournament experience. Players such as De Bruyne, Courtois, Lukaku and Witsel could play a decisive role in guiding the younger stars through the pressure of a World Cup campaign.
The biggest concern, however, remains Lukaku’s fitness. Belgium’s attacking depth has improved with the emergence of players like Doku and Trossard, but Garcia clearly believes Lukaku’s physical presence, leadership and goal-scoring instincts remain too valuable to ignore.
Whether he starts immediately or is gradually eased into the tournament, all eyes will be on Belgium’s record scorer as he prepares for what could potentially be the final World Cup appearance of his career.
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